Can end feeding means



Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTEl. 2,491,268

CAN END FEEDING MEANS Filed Aug. 2o, 1945 8 sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTr-:L

CAN END FEEDING MEANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20,. 1945 3mm@ JMG/Wl ya@ Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTEL 2,491,2'68

CAN END FEEDING lMEANS Filed Aug. 2o, 1945 8 sheets-sheet 5 Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTEL CAN END FEEDING MEANS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet Snow s Dec. 13, 1949 F, KASTEL CAN END FEEDING MEANS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 13, 1949 Fl KAsTEL CAN END FEEDING MEANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 File@ Aug. 2o, 1945 had Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTEL 2,491,263

CAN END FEEDING MEANS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Dec. 13, 1949 F. KAsTEl. 2,491,258

CAN END FEEDING MEANS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Dec. 13g,v 1949 2,491,268 Y CAN END FEEDING MEANS Ferdinand Kastel, Baltimore, Md., assigno to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 2o, 19115', serial No. 611,470 c rlhe invention relates generally to can end feeding means and seeks to provide novel means for individually and positively feeding can ends 13 Claims. 113-114) of the hat shaped type from the stack in which they are retained as a multiple supply to a work station or stations at which they are attached to can bodies, or otherwise Worked upon, as by having sealing compound applied thereon and being edge curled preparatory to subsequent attachment to can bodies.

Can ends of the hat shaped type have raised central portions providing heels snugly insertible in can body ends and which are surrounded by outwardly extending flat anges terminating in raw edge portions, and when can ends of this type are stacked, considerable diiiiculty is experienced in feeding the ends one by one from the bottom of the stack because of the tendency of the raised central portions of the can ends to partially nest. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide novel means for stacking can ends yof the type stated and for first eifecting a denite separation of the lowermost can end in the stack from the overlyingcan ends, and then feeding the separated end from beneath s-aid overlying can ends.

An object of the invention is to provide in stacking and feeding means of the character stated a novel depressor finger which is moved in a four-motion path to first engage between two can ends at least as high as the second and third can ends at the bottom of the stack, then move downwardly to press the outwardly projecting end fianges together at the engaged sides of the ends and cause the iianges at the opposite sides of said ends to move apart and eect a separation of the adjacent portion of the lowermost can end from the adjacent portion of the overlying or second can end, then move outwardly from between said can end flanges, and then upwardly to complete the four-motion movement, means also being provided for moving between the separated first and second can end portions to effect a complete separation of the first can end from the rest of the stack, and also means for engaging said rst can end and moving it from beneath the stack.

Another object of the invention is to provide in can end stacking and feeding means of the character stated a support element projecting into the space in which the can ends are stacked opposite the depressor finger and at an elevation for supporting the weight of the major part of the can end stack at that side so that thissupported weight will not resist upward movement of separation of the can end iianges incidental to f2 the depressing action of said linger, said support elementY also beingeffective to prevent upward agitation of- 'the' canfends at the bottom of the stack incidental to the successive separation and feeding of can ends being transmitted to can ends in the upperpart of the vstack in a manner tending to'displa'ce can ends from the top of the stack. v

yAnother vobj'e'ct'of'the invention is to provide in can vend stacking fand feeding'means of the character stated, magnet means effective tosecurely hold the rstor lowermost can end in position while then overlying can endsare being sep'- arated therefrom preparatory to the feeding away of said lowerrnostv can'end.

VAnother object 'of' the invention is to provide in can'` end stacking and feeding means of the character stated a stack holder having a movable wall portion, and means for displacing said wall portion to provide a clearance through which the separated lowermost can end can be fed away.

YAnother object of the invention is to provide in can end stacking and feeding means a depressor'finger ofthe character stated which projects from the lower end of an uprightly disposed arm having a horizontally projected portion at itsupper end,' pivotV pin means traversing the larm at lthe juncture thereof with the hori- V zontally projected portion and slidably and frictionaily engaging lat* its ends in a guidway, means limiting inward and outward movement of the freefend of the arm, Yand means for imparting upward .and downward movement to the horizontally projected portion to cause the depressor fingertopartake of a four-motion movement resulting'from a pivoting of the arm about the pin means and upward and downward sliding of said pin means.l

l Y Withrthe above and other objects in view that will Yhereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will ybe more *Y clearly understood by referencev to the following detailed description, theappendedclaims, and the several views illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: v Figure 'l isa sideelevation somewhat diagrammatically illustrating a machine embodying the invention. v f

Figure 2 is an end. elevation of the machine structure shown in Figure 1. VFigure 3 is- 'an 'enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken onthe line 3-3 on Figure l. Figure v4 isan --enlarged central longitudina sectional view taken on the line 4 4 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating the parts shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken in the plane in which the stack housing member lifting cam bar reciprocates, the bar being shown in the housing member lifting position.

Figure 7 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 'lon Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 8-8 on Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a detail horizontal section taken through the position of the pivotal mounting of the depressor finger equipped arm.

Figures 10, 1l, 12 and 13 are somewhat diagrammatic vertical longitudinal sectional views illustrating four successive positions in the four-motion movement of the can end depressing finger.

Figure 14 is a vertical cross section taken on the line lll-I4 on Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section illustrating one acceptable mounting of the feed bar feed ngers.

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section illustrating the connection between the depressor finger actuator arm and the actuator rod.

In the example of embodiment of the inven- 'vtion herein disclosed, the improved can end stacking and feeding means is shown in a combined machine structure including the stacking and feeding means generally designated A, a work station generally designated B whereat the can ends have a sealing compound applied thereon, a work station C whereat the can ends are edge curled, and a restacking station D. The present invention has to do only with the can end stacking and feeding means A, and the other parts or stations are shown only to illustrate the cooperative relation and the various drives for the parts of said stacking and feeding means. The sealing compound applying means and the edge curling means are not shown, the stations whereat they are located alone being indicated by the characters B and C.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be apparent that in the machine referred to, there is included a base 5 from which rises standard portions 6 and l on the latter of which the work station C is supported, and said standards support a feed bed 8 wherein is provided a longitudinal groove 9 in which is reciprocably mounted a feed bar I equipped with the usual depressible feeder fingers I I. The feeder fingers may be constructed in any approved manner, and an example of a satisfactory structure is illustrated in Figure 15.

The feeder bar I0 has a bracket I2 secured thereto in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, and said bracket is adiustably connected as at I3 to the upper end of an actuator arm I4 which is pivotally mounted intermediately of its ends as at I on a bracket I6 which is secured to the frame standard 1. The actuator arm I4 extends below its pivotal mounting at I5 and is link connected as at I1 to a crank pin I8 projecting from a crank disk I9 secured on the main driver shaft 20. It will be apparent that as the crank disk I9 is rotated, the rotary motion of said disk will be transmitted in the form of reciprocatory movement to the feeder bar I0.

The driver shaft 20 is connected -by a. one to two bevel couple 2| with a cam shaft 22 which is horizontally disposed and rotatably mounted in frame bearings 23 and 24. It will be apparent '4 that the cam shaft 22 rotates once for each two rotations of the main driver shaft 2Q. It will be apparent by reference to Figures 1 and 2 that a cam 25 is fixed to the extended end of the shaft 22, and the said cam is provided with two diametrically oppositely disposed crests or lobes 25 separated by two concentric dwell portions, the effective portion of each crest starting at the end of one of the concentric portions, and ending at 28 at the commencement of the other of said concentric portions.

The periphery of the cam 25 cooperates with a roller 29 projecting from one end of a slide actuator lever 3l) which is pivoted on the frame intermediately of its ends as at 3l and is connected at its other end with a slide actuator rod 32. The rod 32 is normally retracted, or in other words constantly urged downwardly, by a retractile spring 33 which is anchored as at 34 on the frame base 5. At its upper end the rod 32 is slot and pin connected as at 35 to two bell crank slide actuating levers 35, each of which is pivoted, as at 3l, and connected as at 38 at its upper end with an ear 39 depending from a slide 4G. The two slides are slide-guided as at 4I in transverse extensions 42 provided on the bed 8. See Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5.

The cam shaft 22 drives a second cam shaft 43 through sprocket and chain connections 44, said second cam shaft being disposed at a higher level and in parallel relation to the shaft 22 and rotatable in bearings 45, one of which is supported on a bracket 46 secured to the frame standard l, and the other of which is supported 'on a bracket 4l secured beneath the bed extensions 42 and upon which the bell crank levers 36 are pivotally mounted.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 1 and 2 that an actuator cam 48 is fixed on the cam shaft 43 beneath one of the bed extensions 42, and said cam is equipped with two diametrically oppositely disposed crests or lobes 49 which are connected by gradually sloping sides with two intermediate concentric portions 53. The purpose of the cam 48 will become apparent as the description progresses.

Referring now to Figures 1 through 5, it will be observed that two support bars 5I are secured as at 52 in parallel spaced relation on the bed 8 across the feeder bar groove 9. On each bar 5| an angle member 53 is secured as at 54. To the angle member 53 shown at the left in Figures 1 and 4 an upright U-shaped support and stop member 55 is secured as at 56. The member 55 is in turn secured as at 5l' to the upright stack housing member 58 which is arcuately shaped at its inner face to conform to the ends of the can ends which are stacked between said housing member and a companion housing member. In this particular disclosure, the stacking and feeding apparatus is adapted to stack and feed can ends which are elliptical or oval in shape, but it is to be understood that the apparatus is adapted for the stacking and feeding of can ends of various shapes, and that the opposing faces of the housing members will be shaped accordngto the shapes of the can ends which are being stacked and fed.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 4 and 8 that the housing member 58 is U-shaped at its outer face to conform to the opposing face of the member 55 and cooperate therewith in providing a depressor finger receiving chamber having an outer stop wall 6I for cooperating with the inner stop wall formed by the outer face of the U-shapedportion of said ,housing member. The said opposing stop walls serve to limit inward and outward swinging movement Vof the depressor finger to be described in detail hereinafter.

.Above the member 55, two angle pieces 62 are secured uprightly in parallel spaced relation as at 63 to the housing member A58, and these angle pieces cooperate with the housing member 58 in ,providing a dopressor finger receiving chamber and stop walls 85 which are vertically aligned with the previously mentioned Stopwall 6|. It should be understood that the housing member 58, kthe member 55 and the pieces 62 kmay be Aformed integrally, if desired. y

A block 65 is secured across the upper end of the pieces 62 as at 66, vand said block` is provided withv a finger piece extension receivingopening 61. It will also be apparent by reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings that an adjustable stop screwA 58 is threaded through the block 65 in position for extending downwardly through the upper wall of the opening `6l, and a similar adjustable stop screw 69 is threaded through the block 65 in position for extending upwardly into said opening. The purpose of the extension relceiving opening 61 and the stop screws 68 and 69 will soon be described. An opening 1li is provided through vthe outer wall 68 of the housing member 58 at the b-ottom, and la horizontally disposed depressor linger 1| is'disposed to operate in and through said opening. The finger 1| projects inwardly from the lower end of a' carrier arm 12 which is uprightly disposed in the chamber formed between the youter wall 66 of the housing member 58 and the previously mentioned stop walls 6| and 64.' The arm 12 is provided with an outwardly extended horizontal portion 13 at its -upper end which extends into and is vertically movable in the block opening 61, and said extension 13 has an actuator pin 14 projecting therefrom in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. By referenceto Figures l to and 9 of the drawings, it will be apparent that the arm 12 is 'equipped with a transverse bore 15 at the juncture thereof with the horizontal extension 13, and in said bore there are mounted two axially aligned pivot pin buttons 16 which are surrounded and pressed apart by a compression spring 11. The spring presses the outer ends of the buttons 16 in tight frictional contact lwith the side walls of kthe chamber in which the arm 12 is mounted and said buttons serve as a slidable pivot mounting for said arm. In other words, the arm may pivot about the common axis of the buttons 16, and may slide upwardly and downwardly in its mounting chamber, said buttons serving to frictionallyretain the arm in the positions to which it is moved. The pin 1d. extending from the arm extension 13 engages in an elongated slot 18 provided intermediately of the ends of an actuator arm 19 which is pivoted at one end as at 88 on a bracket 8| secured as at 82 to one side of the housing member 58. At its free end the arm 19V is provided with an apertured horizontal portion 83, the aperture of which loosely surrounds an actuator stem 84 having an enlarged stop shoulder 85 engageable under said portion 83. The stern 84 including the abutment shoulder 85 is adjustably'mounted as at 86 at the upper end of an actuator rod 81 and the arm portion 83 is yieldably held against the stop 85 by a compression spring 88 which surrounds the stem 84 above the: arm portion'83. and beneath aan abutment means 89 Yadjustably mounted atftheupper end of saidstem. See Figures 2 and 16.`

A compression spring 90 surrounds the rod 81 beneath the abutment formed by the member on which the stop shoulder 85 is formed and a guide 9| through which said rod extends in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2, and it will be apparent that the spring 98 will constantly urge the stop shoulder 85 Yagainst the under surface of thearm portion 83 and constantly tend to lift the arm and cause the depressor finger carrying bar extension 13 to engage the upper adjustable stop 68 inthe manner illustrated in Figure 4. The lower end of the rod 81 which extends downwardly through the guide 9E is attached to a slide 92 having an elongated slot 93 straddling the cam shaft d3, said slide being disposed closely adjacent the cam i8 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The slide 92 is equipped with a roller at its lower end which engages the periphery of the cam e8 so that the rod 81 will be twice depressed and released for upward movement during each rotation of the cam shaft 53. The parts are so adjusted that when the holler 95s is against, or approximately against either dwell portion 56 of the cam, the depressor nger arm extension 13 will be against the upper stop screw 68 in the position illustrated in Figure 4. Each time one of the cam lobes or crests 4S depresses and then releases the rod 81, a vertical reciprocat'ion andy also an inner and outer swinging movement will be imparted to the depressor linger carrying arm 12, and the finger 1| will partake of a four-motion movement in the manner, and for a purposewhich will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The inwardand downward movement of the arm and finger is yieldably transmitted through the compression spring 88, and said spring permits a greater amount of downward movement of the actuator rod 81 than is necessary to bring about the desired downward or depressed movement of the depressor nger. 'Y

Referring nowy to Figures l, 4 and 5 of' the drawings, it will be apparent that the other angle member 53 is secured as at 85 to and supports an uprightly disposed supporter member 96, and a second housing member91 is vertically-slidably mounted as at 98 on said'supporter member. At its lower end the housing member 91 is equipped with a cam engaging projection 99 which is secured thereto as at |68, and it will be apparent by reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings that a linger lpiece IBI is secured to and extends from the member 98 so as to permit manual lifting and lowering of the vertically-slidable housing member. It is intended that during thercan end feedingoperation the housing member 91 is lifted during the outfeeding of each can end, and for thispurpose a cam bar |62 is secured as at |83 on a bracket |85 which is attached at |05 to one of the laterally reciprocable slides lill, and said cam bar is equippedwith a cam nose |86 which is engageable underthe extension 86 for automatically effecting the lifting of the housing member 91 as saidrslide is moved' inwardly, and the lowering of said housing member as said slide isv moved outwardly,

A support member |01 in the form of a short pin projects inwardlyl from the inner face of the housing member 91 adjacent the lower end thereof, and this pin serves to support the weight of the major part of a stack of can ends opposite the depressor linger 1| so that the upward tilting of can'endsv at the bottom of the stack effected by operation of the depressor finger 1| is notresisted by the weight of the stack. The pin |01 performs a second function of isolating the upper part rof ythe stack from agitation of the can ends at the bottom of the stack 4by action of the depressor nger 1| and lifting slide members later to be described so that said agitation will not be effective to displace can ends from the top of the stack.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings that two longitudinal bars |08 are secured as at |89 to the bed 8, one at each side of the feed bar groove 9. Clamp pieces H are secured as at III to the inner faces of said bars and have inwardly angled upper edge portions II2 which overlie the feed bar I0 in a manner for preventing upward displacement thereof at the position of the stack. Two rows of permanent magnets I I3 are carried by the bars |08 and these magnets serve to firmly hold the lowermost can end in the stack against upward displacement during the tilting and lifting of can ends thereabove, and said magnets also 'hold the can ends against the feedway and facilitate the individual feeding of the can ends away from the bottom of the stack.

At the position of the slides 40 the bars V|08 are provided with .cam surfaces H4 in the manner clearly .shown in Figure 3. Slide members H5 are adjustably secured as at I6 on the respective slides 40, and each said slide member is provided with a groove H1 at its upper surface. It will be apparent by reference to Figures 3 and 5 that a lifter blade carrier I |8 is pivotally mounted as at IIS in each slide member groove H1, and each said carrier is equipped with a cam surface |20 for cooperating with the opposing cam surface H4 of the respective bar |08. A'lifter blade I2| is secured as at |22 to project inwardly from each carrier H8, and the upper inner edge portion of each blade is bevelled as at |23. It will also be apparent by reference to Figure 5 that the ends of the bevelled portions |23 extending in the direction in which the can ends are fed are inwardly projected as at |24. The outer end portion of each carrier H8 is urged upwardly by a compressionspring |25 interposed between said end and the underlying portion of the respective slide member I I5, and thus the Springs-.constantly tend to depress the blades I2I. As the slides 40 are reciprocated laterally by oscillation of the bell crank levers 36 the blades I2`I will be moved inwardly and outwardly. As each carrier H8 moves inwardly its cam surface |20 will engage and ride upwardly on the cooperating bar cam surface H4 so that the inner edge extremities of the blades will move inwardly .and upwardly as they engage between can ends at the bottom of the stack. During the inward movement of the slides, the slide portions |20 form stops engageable with the bars |08 for limiting inward movement of said slides. As the slides move outwardly, the cam surfaces will disengage and the inner ends of the carriers and the blades thereon will be depressed. It will be obvious by reference to Figure 2 that the spring 33 tends constantly to hold the stop shoulders |20 against the bars |08.

As previously stated, the apparatus described herein is designed for the stacking and feeding of can ends which are elliptical or oval in shape..

These ends are generally designated |21 and each includes a central raised portion 128 and an outwardly extending flat flange |29 terminatingin a raw metal peripheral edge. As previously' stated, hat-shaped can. ends of shapes other than oval or elliptical may be stackedv and `ted by the apparatus coveredherein, and it is to be understood that the opposing faces` of the stack supporting housings 5a and 91 will be shaped according to lthe variation in shapes of the can ends stacked therein.

In operation, rotation of the main drive shaft 20 imparts reciprocation to the feed bar I0 through the crank and link connections I8, I1, I4, I3, and the .cam shafts 22 and 43 are rotated once for each two rotations of the main shaft through the gear couple 2| and the sprocket and chain connections 114 as hereinbefore described.

A stack of the hat-shaped can ends |21 is mounted between the housing members 58 and 91 with the major portion of the weight of the stack at the side opposite the depressor nger 1| being supported by the pin |01 in the manner, and for the reasons hereinbefore described. The lowermost can end in the stack always will be firmly held by the underlying permanent magnets H3, and as the depressor finger partakes of its fourmotion movement by reason of the oscillation of the arm 19, it will first move from the position illustrated in Figure 10 inwardly between the anges of the second and third ends in the stack, or between the flanges of two other can ends in the path of its movement but always at least as high as the second can end, as illustrated in Figure l1, then move downwardly as shown in Figure 3 so as to displace the engaged can end at the left as viewed in this figure and effect a lifting or tilting of the right hand side of said can end upwardly as shown in Figure 12, thereby to provide a space between the lowermost can end and the up'- wardly tilted can end immediately above lthe same. The movements of the depressor finger from the Figure 10 position through the positions of Figures 11 and 12 are brought about by yieldable depression of the arm 19 through the spring 88. As the roller 94 passes over the respective cam crest 49 and starts down the merging downward slope toward the oncoming concentric portion 50, the rod 81 will be moved upwardly and the arm 19 will be moved upwardly by the abutment 85 to rst swing the depressor nger outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 13 and then upwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 10, thereby completing the four-motion cycle of movement of the depressor finger. It will be aPparent that each time the arm 91 starts an upward or downward movement it first effects a swinging of the arm 12 about the slide pivot 16 either from the position illustrated in Figure A10 to that illustrated in Figure 11, or from the position illustrated in Figure 12 to that illustrated in Figure 13. The continuation of the upward or downward movement of the free end of the arm 19 will cause the arm 12 to slide bodily upwardly or downwardly as from the position illustrated in Figure 13 to the position illustrated in Figure 10, or from the position illustrated in Figure l1 to the position illustrated in Figure 12, The provision of the spring 88 not only provides for a yielding action effective to assure against damaging of can ends during the depression of the can ends at one side as illustrated in Figure 12, but it also allows the actuator rod 81 to partake of a considerable amount of idle movement, that is movement not necessary to the effecting of the ydesired depression of the can ends.

The parts preferably are so timed that when a given crest 49 of the depressor finger actuator cam 48 is centered over the roller 94, the depressor nger 1| will have been dwelling a momentin the can .end depressing position illustrated in Fig- 9 ure 12, and at this time the slide blades |2| will have started their inward travelso that they will be about to engage between the lowermost two can ends. As previously explained, this inward movement of the blades and the slides which carry the same is brought about by downward pulling of the actuator rod 32 by the anchored spring 33 under control of the engagement of the roller 29 with the respective crest 26 of the cam, or rather the effective portion receding bevond the crest toward the end of the effective portion at 28 where said effective portion merges into the concentric dwell portion of said cam.

While the can ends are being depressed in the manner illustrated in Figure 12. or in other words at the time when the roller 94 has passed only slightly beyond the respective crest 49, the blades |2| will have proceeded inwardly to the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. It will be noted that in this position the inwardly directed nose portions of the blades will have engaged in the space provided between the first and second can ends by the upward tilting thereof, and in their inward and upward movement they will engage under the ange of the second end in the stack and fully lift in above the underlying first canl end in the manner illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3 and in Figure 13. At this time the de. presser finger is retracted as shown in Figure 13 but has not been returned to the elevated position illustrated in Figure 10. When the blades have reached the inner limit of their travel the slide shoulders |25 will engage as stops with the bed bars Hi8. and at this time the roller 29 on the arm 30 will be engaging one of the concentric dwell portions of the cam 25 or slightly out of contact therewith. During this dwelling of thecan end lifting and supporting blades |2|, the endmost feed finger on the feeder bar I will move into position behind the lowermost. separated can end, and upon retraction of the feed bar will feed said can end over the feedways toward the work station at which the sealing compound is applied to the can end or other work is performed thereon. After said can end is fed away, the slides areretracted to their outer positions by the riding of the roller 29 up the oncoming crest 26, effective engagement commencing at 21 as previously described, thus completing the linger feeding cycle.

It is to be understood that the parts may be so adjusted and timed that the endmost feed finger on the feed bar Iii may move all the wayvpastA the stack so as to engage behind the flange |29 of the separated lowermost can end, or the parts may be adjusted so that said finger engages with*k the raised central portion |28 of said lowermost can end and against the near wall thereof for: ef-

fecting the desired feeding of the end.

At the time said endrnost feed finger is in fully` projected position, ready to take away the lowermost, separated can end, the depressor finger 'H is elevated in the position illustrated in Figure and the slide roller 94 will be engaged approximately centrally of one of the concentric dwell portions 50 of the cam 48.

The invention is herein disclosed as adapted for feeding can ends with the central raised portions |28 thereof extending upwardly, as when said can ends are to have sealing compound applied thereon and then be edge curled. It is to be understood however that the apparatus will function as efficiently when the can ends are disposed with their central raised portions extending downwardly, as they would be shouldr the apparatus be employed to feed can ends into position for beingV applied `as top end closures to be double seam secured on container bodies. In such an adaptation of the invention, it would only be necessary to slightly adjust the position of the depressor linger 1| and to alter the position of' the feeder fingers slightly to adapt them for suitable engagement with the inverted can ends.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: Y

1. In apparatus of the character described for stacking'and feeding can ends having upstanding central' portions which tend partially to nest and outwardly extended generally flat ange portions,A in combination, stack supporting means, a reciprocable depressor, means for engaging said depressor with the upper surface of the fiange'of a can end above the lowermost can end in the stack for depressing said engaged can end flange at one side to cause the can end immediatelyrabove the can end which is lowermost in the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the side ofV said lift, at least one separator blade movable into said space for effecting a full separation of said lowermost and immediately overlying,Y

can ends, and means for feeding away said lowermost separated can end.

2. In apparatus of the character described for stacking and feeding can ends having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest' can end in the stack for depressing said engagedv can end flange at one side to cause the can end immediately above the can end whichis lowermost inthe stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can endand be lifted at the opposite side andj provide a space between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the' side of said lift, at least one separator blade movable into said space for effecting a full separation of Said lowermost and immediately overlying can ends, magnet means disposed beneath the can end.' stack for holding said lowermost can end in place' during said depressing and separation of can endsand the fulcruming of the overlying can end over' the lowermost magnet held can end, and means for feeding away said lowermost separated'canI yend.

3. In apparatus of the character described'forstacking and feeding can ends having upstandf' ing central portions which tend partially to nest land outwardly extended generally flat liangeportions, in combination, stack supporting means, means engageable with the upper surface' of the flange of a can end above the lowermost the can end immediately above the can end which is lowermostin the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can endand be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end and saidcan end immediately thereover at theside 'of' said lift, at least one separator blade movable into said space for, electing a full separation of said lowermost and immediately overlying can ends, said depressing means cornprising an upwardly and downwardly movable member disposed adjacent the bottom of the stack and means for engaging said member with the top surface of the flange o f a can end not far'removed from the bottom of the stack, and means for feeding away vsaid lowermost Separated can end. Y

4. In apparatus of the character described for stacking and feeding can endsV having upstanding central portions which "tend partially to nest and outwardly extended generally flat flange portions, in combination, stack supporting means, all upwardly and downwardly reciprocable depressor, means for engaging'said depressor with the upper surface ofthe flange of a can end above the lowermost can end in the stack for depres-A sing said engaged can end flange at one side to cause the can end immediately above the A can end which is lowermost in the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end in the stack and the can end thereover at the side of said lift, separator blade means movable into said space for effecting a full separation of said lowermost and immediately overlying` can ends, a support pin projecting toward said depressor and effective to support the weight of the major part of the can end stack at said can end lifting side exceptingonly a limited number of the ends at the lowerv part of the stack thereby to relieve the depressing means of said supported weight and avoid transmitting to top can ends in the stack agitationincidental to said lifting at the bottom of the stack, and means for feeding away said lowermost separated can end.

- 51, In apparatus of the character' described, in combination, can end stacksupporting means, reciproca-ble blade means for lifting can ends of the stack to spa-ce the lowermost can end in the stack from the one thereover, feeding means for feeding away from beneath the can end'v spaced thereover, and in the general plane in which it lies, said lowermost can end, said stack supporting means including a vertically movable housing member serving atv least in part as a confining guide for the can ends asl they are lifted, cam means movableV with said blade means and engageable under a part of said housing member, and means for moving the cam means for lifting said housing member each time the feeding of a lowermost can end" occurs to permit said can end to pass under said housing. member Without` contacting the same.

6. In apparatus of the character described, inl combination, canI end stack supporting` means, reciprocable blade means for lifting can ends oi the stack to space the lowermost can end in the stack from the one thereover. feeding means for feeding away from beneath the can end spaced thereover, and in the general plane in which it lies, said lowermost can end, said stack supporting means including a vertically movable housing member serving at least in part as a confining guide for the can ends as they are lifted, and means-movable'with said blade means for lifting said housing member each time the feeding of a lolwerrnost can end occurs to permit said can end to pass undervsaid housing member without; contacting the same, a support pin projecting from and movable vwith said movable housing member in position' for 'supporting the tv) .so

weight 0f a maior part of the can end stackv excepting only a limited number of the ends at the lower part of the stack thereby to relieve the separator blade means of said pin supported weight.

7, In apparatus of the character described for stacking and feeding can ends having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest and outwardly extended generally flat flange portions, in combination, stack supporting means, an upwardly and downwardly reciprocable depi'essor, means for engaging said depressor With the upper surface of the flange of a can end above the lowermost can end in the stack for depressing' said engaged can end flange at one side to cause the can end immediately above theA can which is lowermost in the Stack. to fulcrum 0n said lowermost can end and be liftedv at the opposite Side and provide. a spacey between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the side of said lift,v and means fOr feeding, away Said lowermost can end in a direction away from said depressing means.

8, In apparatus of the character described for' stacking and feedingl can ends having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest 75 wardly, the arm to swing inwardly and outwardand outwardly extended generally fiat fanee portions, in combination, stack supportingmeans, means engageable with the upper surface of the flange of a can end above the lowermost can endA in the stack for c iepressingl said engaged can end flangev at one side to cause the can end immediatelyl above the can end which is lowermost in the stack; to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end and said4 can end immediately thereover at the side of said lift, and means for feeding away said lowermost can end in a direction away from said depressing means, said depressing means including a swingably mounted depressor finger and meansv for swinging it between canl end'l flanges above they flange of the end overlying the lowermost end in thev stack then moving it bodily downwardly against the top surface of an underlying can end flange for depressing the engaged flange', then' outwardly' from between flanges;

9. In apparatus of thel character described for stacking and feeding can ends' having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest and' outwardly extended Vgenerally hat flange portions, in combination, stack supporting means, means engageable with the upper surface of a canend ii'ange for depressing one or more can ends' at one side to cause the can end immediately' above the can end which is lowermost in the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at4 the opposite side and' provide a space between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the side: of

'said lift, and means for feeding away said lower an uprightY arm disposed at one side of the stack supporting means. and carrying said finger and having a generally horizontally disposed arm extension, means limiting inward and outwardv swinging movement of said upright arm, support means, a pivot for said arm upwardly and downwardlyslidable on said support means, and means for moving the horizontally disposed arm extension upwardly and downwardly about the pivot to cause the p ivotA to slide upwardly and down- 13 ly about the pivot and the finger to partake of four-motion movement and rst move in between can end flanges, then downwardly for depressing one or more flanges, then outwardly from between flanges and then upwardly.

10. In apparatus of the character described for stacking and feeding can ends having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest and outwardly extended generally flat flange portions, in combination, stack supporting means, means engageable with the upper surface of a can end flange for depressing one or more can ends at one Side to cause the can end immediately above the can end which is lowermost in the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the side of said lift, and means for feeding away said lowermost can end in a direction away from said depressing means, said depressing means including a generally horizontally disposed depressor finger, an upright arm disposed at one side of the stack supporting means and carrying said finger and having a generally horizontally disposed arm extension, means limiting inward and outward swinging movement of said upright arm, support means, a pivot for said arm upwardly and downwardly slidable on said support means, and means for moving the horizontally disposed arm extension upwardly and downwardly about the pivot to cause the pivot to slide upwardly and downwardly, the arm to swing inwardly and outwardly about the pivot and the finger to partake of fourmotion movement and rst move in between can end flanges, then downwardly for depressing one or more flanges, then outwardly from between flanges and then upwardly, said last named means including a yieldable element effective to impart the movement of the linger in the flange depressing direction.

11. In apparatus of the character described, can end flange depressing can end tilting means comprising a depressor finger, an elongated nger carrying arm from vwhich the finger projects in angular relation for being projected between can end flanges and having an extension projecting in angular relation therefrom, a pivot for said arm and extension, support means, means mounting said pivot on said support means for sliding movement in the direction of the length of said arm, means for permitting a limited amount of swinging movement of the arm for projecting the finger between can end flanges and for retracting it therefrom, and means reciprocable in the general direction of the length of said arm and connected with the extension so as to be effective for swinging it and the arm about said pivot and for moving said extension and arm bodily with the pivot in the direction of the length of the arm thereby to impart fourmotion movement to said finger.

12. In apparatus of the character described for stacking and feeding can ends having upstanding central portions which tend partially to nest and outwardly extended generally flat flange portions, in combination, stack supporting means, a reciprocable depressor, means for engaging said depressor with the upper surface of the flange of a can end above the lowermost can end in the stack for depressing said engaged can end ange at one side to cause the can end irnmediately above the can end which is lowermost in the stack to fulcrum on said lowermost can end and be lifted at the opposite side and provide a space between said lowermost can end and said can end immediately thereover at the side of said lift, at least one separator blade movable into said space for effecting a full separation of said lowermost and immediately overlying can ends, and means for feeding away said lowermost separated can end, said separating means including a pair of slides movable toward and from each other and including can end separating and lifting blade portions having leading nose portions extending toward each other and laterally in the general direction in which the can ends are fed and toward the lifted ends of the can ends and engageable in said space between the lowermost can end and the lifted can end and merging into main body portions of the blades so as to be effective to progressively effect a lifting of the can end overlying the lowermost can end to a horizontal lposition wholly separated from said lowermost can end.

13. Apparatus as dened in claim 11 in which the nger carrying arm is equipped with a cross bore, and said arm is mounted between two parallel wall portions of said support means. and in which the arm pivot comprises a pair of pins mounted in said bore and held in sliding frictional contact with said wall portions by a compression spring interposed therebetween within said bore.

- FERDINAND KASTEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 882,603 White Mar. 24, 1908 947,685 Palmer July 25, 1910 970,620 Graham Sept. 20, 1910 1,164,103 Kruse Dec. 14, 1915 1,408,617 McDonald Mar. 7, 1922 1,747,626 Gueritey Feb. 18, 1930 1,866,369 Podel July 5, 1932 1,962,645 Krueger June 12, 1934 1,966,529 Stevens July 17, 1934 2,172,402 Nordquist Sept. 12, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 235,624 Germany June 15, 1911 l 

